CHRIS COLEMAN was last night tipped to become a roaring success as manager of Real Sociedad after Spaniards began dubbing him the “new John Toshack”.

Coleman has been appointed on a three-year contract to boss the San Sebastian club, a move which the board of directors rubber-stamped yesterday.

And Spanish chiefs are adamant that they see traits of a young Toshack in Coleman, stating that he is just the man to lead relegated Real Sociedad straight back up into La Liga.

Toshack was 34 years of age when he first made his name in Spain as Real Sociedad manager between 1985-89, winning the cup and leading the San Sebastian upstarts to an unheard of 4-0 triumph over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Toshack went on to twice manage Madrid, the biggest club in the world, as well as Deportivo La Coruna and Sociedad on two further occasions.

Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith, who acts as Coleman’s advisor, believes the other Welshman about to manage in Spain will be a huge success story too.

Smith has spent the last few days with Coleman and Toshack in the Basque country as terms and conditions were finalised for the Real Sociedad post.

Speaking to us from San Sebastian, Smith said, “The club, and Spaniards in general, are already drawing big comparisons between John and Chris.

“And, having spent some time in the company of the two of them in the past few days, I can fully understand why.

“Chris is 37 as he gets ready for his move to Spain, having learned his trade with Fulham in the Premiership, where in my eyes he did a terrific job.

“John was 34 when he first took over at Real Sociedad, having performed wonders in taking Swansea City to the top of the old First Division.

“Having been in on the talks, I think it’s fair to say Real Sociedad see Chris as a prodigy of Toshack.

“And, if he can do anything like the job John did when he first came out to manage Real Sociedad, then the club will be more than happy.”

Smith continued, “It’s only since coming out here that I have begun to realise just how highly regarded John is by the local people. Just walk down the street with him, and the public come up to pass on their best wishes.

“Chris has seen that and realises how highly regarded the Welsh nation is out in San Sebastian, as a result of what John has done. He is keen to follow in those footsteps.

“The other thing that has really struck me, having been in their company constantly for the last few days, is the enormous respect that John and Chris clearly have for one another.

“I think John sees a lot of a young himself as a manager in Chris. They are similar personalities, a similar build, share that special Welsh passion to succeed in football. They have similar ideas on how the game should be played, too.

“These are two people who go back many, many years and I can see the rapport they have with one another.

“As a local Swansea person, Chris has always regarded Tosh as something of an idol because of what he achieved with Chris’ hometown club.

“Chris used to play football and go to school with John’s son Cameron and was telling me only yesterday a story about when Swansea, having just won promotion, celebrated with an open top bus tour around the city.

“Chris was only 10 years old at the time, but still recalls how Tosh spotted him in the crowd, told the driver to stop the bus and went down to bring him on board.

“Tosh then turned to the Swansea players and told them, ‘Remember this face, because this young person is going to play for Wales one day.’

“Chris thought it was a staggering prediction, but he did play for Wales – 32 times. And it would have been a lot more, had his playing career not been ended prematurely.

“John clearly still retains his admiration for Chris because he was the one who recommended him for the Real Sociedad job. “And out here, they listen to what John has to say.”

Smith continued, “Chris realises just what an invaluable opportunity this presents for him.

“He has always been very keen to manage abroad, has been bowled over by what he has seen out here and knows this is an opportunity which may only come once in his career.

“He notes the way John Toshack grasped the opportunity to manage in Spain when it came his way back in 1985, and he wants to do something similar.

“It’s not going to be an easy job, Chris knows that better than anyone. But he is a leader of men, has the experience of Fulham behind him.

“And my view is that whichever job he takes in management, whether at home or abroad, he will succeed in it.

“Real Sociedad have really pushed the boat out for Chris and, having spent the last few days here, he has seen everything they have to offer.

“He is very enthusiastic about the challenge ahead. He was taken aback when he saw the training ground and the sheer enthusiasm of the people here.”

Smith smiled, “Chris will also think he’s a bit at home out here. The other day, we were going to a drive up the mountains when we had to stop the car.

“There were 40 sheep in the middle of the road. John and Chris (below) broke out into a simultaneous smile!

“I knew exactly what the pair of them were thinking. You can’t take the Welshman out of either of them.”